He just did those things to make Harrigan angry and lelesleless tactful in his approach of confront City Hunter. A bad blood would have not spared the targets that he did. He did this got get inside of Harrigan's ooda loop. For those not familiar with this concept, military and law enforcement use it. This short video will explain.

So while City Hunter did play mind games, that's part of what makes him extremely intelligent. His Meta game is on point because he thinks several steps ahead. But his hubris was his biggest downfall. Never underestimate dangerous, armed prey. Alas, you know the rest.

Knocking off Harrigan's mates sounds a lot like knocking off Dutch's squad.

Those situations are different.

It was slim pickings for human prey in the jungle. And the Jungle Hunter was not saving Dutch for last, based on the net trap scene. The Jungle Hunter was just plain hunting.

The City Hunter was following Harrigan through the city but not hunting him. Not killing him. The City Hunter followed Harrigan to seek out the people close to him and kill them, and leave Mike alive to suffer through it.

It all hinges on do you believe the Elder Predator would approve following someone, and slaying said someone's entire group of friends or family systematically just so said someone is forced to watch. It all hinges on would the Elder Predator approve the following of a prey to his place of mourning, not to hunt him, but just to mentally torture him.

Again, taunting prey is a 100% valid play. All of Harrigan's associates were fair game bar Leona, whom he spared. He didn't unnecessarily draw out kills, as you said. He just wanted to f**k with the one he considered the buck of the group.

Why would there be a problem? And what in the film indicates the reaction to his fate is anything other than "You lost your hunt, and that means death. Stiff shit."

It's indication of rules, not necessarily a moral code. There's no thrill in hunting or killing prey who can't fight back. Of course, when the prey proves itself like Dutch... But then there's the cloaking device and the advanced weaponry. There is absolutely no honour in that.

Letting Harrigan go is a bit of outlier, granted, but it's one authoritative individual giving kudos to someone who bested one of his kind.

Dutch is right in his assessment why it doesn't kill the unarmed -- no sport, not no honour. They want a challenge.

The first Predator was absolutely sadistic in not just killing Dutch outright and instead beating him half to death.

I put the Elder doing what he did simply because the hunt was over; specifically, CH's hunt was over. Harrigan was his target and he didn't get him, nobody had any right taking the kill from him.

Giving the trophy didn't seem like a matter of course -- he turns, thinks, and then gives him a prize. I don't think they're used to prey walking into their home and gutting their buddies. It's like, "Yay you? Here's a prize, I guess? I don't know, f**k off, we're done here."

Maybe an exception for leona then ? She was pregnant but armed and seemingly able to fight, she was still on duty after all. So maybe this particular case could be seen as "dishonorable". If it isn't a case of morality there...